The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1887-09-07
BEHIND THE BARS.
An Interesting Visit to MinnesOta,s
Great Penal Institution.


Great Penal Institution.
On Saturday last, accompanied 5y DR.. Francis.
the editor paid visit to the state penitentiary at
saltwater, and passed about an hour in an inter-
esting ramble through the different departments
of the institution. The penitentiary is nicely sit
uated in a nitche with high rocky hills on three
sides, while the front faces street with the ST. F.
& d. r. r. and st. Croix river little beyond.
Entering the cosy rooms of the warden, II. G.
StOrdOck, we passed several minutes in pleasant
conversation with that gentleman, while awaiting
the arrival of the usher, Capt. w. H. H. Taylor.
Passing through the hallway. under the latter gem
tleman's charge, large grated door swings on its
hinges we enter the portals and for the first time
in our somewhat brief but eventful career, stand
behind the walls of penitentiary. We told the
doctor much, to which he made reply that we
might we'll get used to it now as at any other
time. Passing out into the yard and through the
numerous shops, favorably impressed
with the scrupulously clean and orderly appear
ance of everything. The machinery and appli-
ances all of the latest and best designs and
the articles manufactured are masterpieces of
skill and fine workmanship. Work in the shops
is little dull at present and many convicts are
idle.
Leaving the shops behind, enter another
building. ascend fight of stairs and enter the
rooms set apart for the prison library, and here
meet with the unexpected pleasure of standing
face to face and holding interesting CONVERSE
ton with two of the Younger brothers, Coleman
and James. Cole is the prison librarian and in the
course of his refined and intelligent conversation
one could not realize that he the ringeader of
the famous Northfeld bank robbery OF few years
ago, and if met outside the walls of prison it
would not be difficult to suppose he was most any
other kind of man.
Leaving the library we wind through passages
past the cells of the convicts through the dining
rooms, laundry and kitchen, finally bringing up at
the room wherein THE MIRROR is gotten up 1t
is not unlike any other printing office except that
it is somewhat small and the editor is always in,
because he can't very we'll help it.
We were very favorably impressed with every
thing in and about the building. from the fact that
was made apparent at every step that Minnesota
believes in treating her criminals as though they
were human beings instead of brutes, and that
proper degree of decency and kindness will win
more men back to become useful citizens than
brutality and unjust coercion. In consequence Of
this, the usher informed us the dark cells have
but very few occupants.
At every turn one is struck with the Eeatness and
cleanliness that exists. Many OF the cell interi-
quite elaborately fitted up with furniture.
painting, decorating, brc-a-brac ETC., showing
that the poor unfortunates, although temporarily
beyond the pale of society, yet they not for
gotten by some loving hearts, who furnish them
with the means and material to make their dark
ened lives bright possible.
There are at present about 400 convicts within
the walls. of which only seven women. The Ii
brary, which through the means of liberal contri-
buttons, consists of about 1000 volumes of
standard works, is feature of the institution of
which it may well feel proud, and no person who
visits the penitentary should fail to leave their
mite towards its support and maintenance.
Visitors are extended the most courteous of
treatment by all the attaches from the warden to
the guards who take great pride in explaining and
showing the different departments and affairs and
it is an event in anybOdy's fe TO pay visit to
the Minnesota state pententiary at saltwater.
probably the finest in all respects, of any similar
institution in the United States.-The Lake
Breeze, White Bear, Aug. 81.